<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM UNION
CARBIDE CORPORATION'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000100790
<NAME> UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                              49
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      933
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        667
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  1906
<PP&E>                                            8409
<DEPRECIATION>                                    4228
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    7291
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             1470
<BONDS>                                           1796
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           155
<OTHER-SE>                                        2294
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      7291
<SALES>                                           5659
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  5659
<CGS>                                             4294
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     4294
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   532<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 114
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    689
<INCOME-TAX>                                       217
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                403
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       403
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.98<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.91<F2>
<FN>
<F1>Other expenses are equal to Research and development of 143 and Depreciation
    and amortization of 389.
<F2>The EPS-PRIMARY amount represents Basic earnings per share and the EPS-DILUTED
    amount represents Diluted earnings per share, computed in accordance with
    Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share."
</FN>